Black History Month's origins and impact

1 of 6

African-American historian Carter G. Woodson promoted the study of black history in the early 20th Century. Along with African-American minister Jesse E. Moorland, he helped found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The group sponsored the start Negro History Week in 1926, with the second week of February chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

PHOTO: Flickr/John Flannery

2 of 6

More cities began to celebrate Negro History Week over the years to come. As the Civil Rights Movement grew in the 1960s behind leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, many college campuses began to expand the week into a month.

PHOTO: Dick DeMarsico

3 of 6

Acknowledging the month's social relevance, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, asking Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

PHOTO: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum

4 of 6

Black History Month has since been particularly prominent in classrooms across the country. Throughout February, students learn about famous African-Americans from history, such as abolitionist and Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman (pictured), scientist George Washington Carver, Civil Rights leaders King and Malcolm X, soldiers like the Tuskegee Airmen, athletes like Jesse Owens and countless more people who made their mark on history.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

5 of 6

African-American history has remained a major feature in the study of the United States. It has since found a place in the nation's capital, with the opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in 2016. The Smithsonian Institution examines the African-American experience in all facets.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/slowking4

6 of 6

A century after the work of Woodson, history continues to be made. The nation's first black president, Barack Obama, just left office, and Black History Month still has its place on the calendar and is even celebrated in other countries. Some, however, don't see its need. African-American actor Morgan Freeman spoke out against it, saying "I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history."

African-American historian Carter G. Woodson promoted the study of black history in the early 20th Century. Along with African-American minister Jesse E. Moorland, he helped found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The group sponsored the start Negro History Week in 1926, with the second week of February chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

PHOTO: Flickr/John Flannery

More cities began to celebrate Negro History Week over the years to come. As the Civil Rights Movement grew in the 1960s behind leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, many college campuses began to expand the week into a month.

PHOTO: Dick DeMarsico

Acknowledging the month's social relevance, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, asking Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

PHOTO: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum

Black History Month has since been particularly prominent in classrooms across the country. Throughout February, students learn about famous African-Americans from history, such as abolitionist and Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman (pictured), scientist George Washington Carver, Civil Rights leaders King and Malcolm X, soldiers like the Tuskegee Airmen, athletes like Jesse Owens and countless more people who made their mark on history.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

African-American history has remained a major feature in the study of the United States. It has since found a place in the nation's capital, with the opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in 2016. The Smithsonian Institution examines the African-American experience in all facets.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/slowking4

A century after the work of Woodson, history continues to be made. The nation's first black president, Barack Obama, just left office, and Black History Month still has its place on the calendar and is even celebrated in other countries. Some, however, don't see its need. African-American actor Morgan Freeman spoke out against it, saying "I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history."

African-American historian Carter G. Woodson promoted the study of black history in the early 20th Century. Along with African-American minister Jesse E. Moorland, he helped found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The group sponsored the start Negro History Week in 1926, with the second week of February chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

PHOTO: Flickr/John Flannery

More cities began to celebrate Negro History Week over the years to come. As the Civil Rights Movement grew in the 1960s behind leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, many college campuses began to expand the week into a month.

PHOTO: Dick DeMarsico

Acknowledging the month's social relevance, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, asking Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

PHOTO: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum

Black History Month has since been particularly prominent in classrooms across the country. Throughout February, students learn about famous African-Americans from history, such as abolitionist and Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman (pictured), scientist George Washington Carver, Civil Rights leaders King and Malcolm X, soldiers like the Tuskegee Airmen, athletes like Jesse Owens and countless more people who made their mark on history.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

African-American history has remained a major feature in the study of the United States. It has since found a place in the nation's capital, with the opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in 2016. The Smithsonian Institution examines the African-American experience in all facets.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/slowking4

A century after the work of Woodson, history continues to be made. The nation's first black president, Barack Obama, just left office, and Black History Month still has its place on the calendar and is even celebrated in other countries. Some, however, don't see its need. African-American actor Morgan Freeman spoke out against it, saying "I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history."

PHOTO: The White House

Black History Month's origins and impact

The annual celebration of African-Americans' achievements and experiences has a long history of its own

Today marks the start of Black History Month, the annual celebration that aims to educate students and all Americans about the achievements of African-Americans and their story in the nation.

Black History Month may be timely this year. It comes as social unrest reaches a boiling point in the U.S., with people across the nation and abroad protesting the immigration policies of President Donald Trump. The month, inparticular, highlights, past struggles for civil rights, though some wonder if it's still needed.